A Training Programme on “Improved Fruit and Vegetable Production” was organized at the FFP cluster, Gopinathpur village, Salepur block, Cuttack district on 10th September, 2025 by the Central Horticultural Experiment Station (CHES), IIHR Bhubaneswar under Farmer FIRST Program. The event witnessed the active participation of about 40 farmers, both men and women, from the cluster. Dr. Biswajit Mandal, Principal Scientist and PI (Farmer FIRST), ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, welcomed the farmers and highlighted the significance of the Farmer FIRST Program. He emphasized how the program has benefitted the farming community through input support and dissemination of improved production technologies. Dr. Gobinda Chandra Acharya, Head & Principal Scientist, ICAR-IIHR, CHES, Bhubaneswar and CO-PI, Farmer First, addressed the gathering and urged farmers to adopt newly released varieties of IIHR along with recommended production technologies for achieving higher remuneration and sustainability. Dr. Satyapriya Singh, Scientist (Entomology), ICAR-IIHR, CHES, Bhubaneswar, deliberated on eco-friendly pest management practices to combat harmful pests affecting fruits and vegetables. He reiterated the importance of organic and sustainable approaches in ensuring crop health and food safety.
As part of the program, the experts visited farmers’ fields of cucumber, pointed gourd, taro, ginger, banana, and okra. They reviewed the crop performance and guided farmers on best practices for enhanced yield and profitability. Farmers of the cluster had already adopted Arka Neelachal Kirti, a pointed gourd variety released from CHES, Bhubaneswar. Experts advised them to also adopt Arka Neelachal Shanti, a high-yielding spine gourd variety, along with other improved IIHR varieties for better income. Prevailing pest issues were identified in the fields, and practical solutions were provided. The program concluded with an interactive session, where farmers’ queries were addressed by all experts. The meeting was successfully coordinated by Dr. G. C. Acharya, Dr Satyapriya Singh and Dr. B. Mandal
